King penguins might be in trouble. Researchers say they could be headed for a major population crash due to climate change.
That's because changing ocean currents are moving their preferred food, fish, farther south, away from the islands where they nest.
The farther away the food, the farther the adults have to swim to get it and the longer their young have to wait — and soon they may start dying of starvation.
But there may be hope: The researchers say there's evidence in the penguins' DNA that they've survived similar changes in the past by migrating to safer breeding locations.
The only difference this time is that the climate is changing because of non-natural forces — humans. So it remains to be seen if the penguins can adapt quickly enough.
